Not sure if you guys have read up on the news lately, but everything’s gone crazy. Especially the 2016 Presidential Election–just, well, wow. Say what you about the fight between Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump and whatever’s left of the Republican Party, it’s certainly not dull.

So rather than give into the petty arguments and cynical hate that’s all but consumed the national election, we decided to embrace it when we designed our own election, known as Best of Maui. Call us old-fashioned, but we think elections ought to be about selecting the best choice.

That’s why in the many pages that follow, you’ll see all our traditional Best of Maui categories dressed up in patriotic regalia–some of which involved life-size cardboard stand-ups of candidates Clinton, Sanders and Trump.

Because, and let’s be honest here, these are the real votes that matter. Who MauiTime readers say sells the best ukuleles or provides the best auto care or mixes the best Mai Tai has vast implications for island commerce. If, as naysayers say, that elections are mere popularity contests, then there’s no more important popularity contest on Maui than the selection of the island’s best male/female bartenders, burgers and beaches.

But like all elections, our readers will undoubtedly criticize and debate the results. Good! But just remember: it was you, through your votes, that led to this issue.